Former Manchester Man and Sex Offender Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for the Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Ammunition

           CONCORD – A former Manchester man and convicted sex offender was sentenced today in federal court for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

           James Aubuchont, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 57 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On June 13, 2024, Aubuchont pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. 

           “A violent sex offender possessed two firearms and enough ammunition to equip a small militia,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “Today’s significant sentence demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to ensuring that felons who possess firearms face swift consequences for their repeated disregard of the law.”

           “Removing violent offenders, especially those with a history of sex crimes, from our communities is critical to ensuring public safety,” said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division “This case highlights the dangers posed by violent individuals who unlawfully possess firearms and ammunition. ATF and our partners remain committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”

          Aubuchont has an extensive criminal record spanning three decades. In July 2023, a state warrant was issued for Aubuchont’s arrest. Law enforcement arrested him on July 12, 2023, near the Flat Mountain Pond Shelter in the White Mountains. During a recorded jail call, Aubuchont asked his then-romantic partner, Rebecca Aubuchont, to retrieve his two “fishing rods” from the campsite, including one that “we got from VJ, remember the one you bought?”  Three days later, law enforcement recovered a rifle and pistol from Aubuchont’s campsite, along with over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.  The rifle had been purchased from a firearms dealer operated by an individual with the first and middle initials V.J.

          During that recorded call, Aubuchont had also asked Rebecca Aubuchont to remove some of his property, which he called “garbage,” from the jail.  The “garbage” was a damaged cell phone with an intact Micro SD card containing over 1,300 images and 140 videos of child sex abuse materials, some of which depicted Aubuchont himself assaulting a minor.   He is currently serving a separate state sentence of 33 years to life for aggravated felonious sexual assault of two minors, possession of child sex abuse images, and manufacturing child pornography.

          On July 2, 2024, Rebecca Aubuchont pleaded guilty to straw purchasing one of the firearms for Aubuchont.  Rebecca Aubuchont is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2024.

          The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms led the investigation.  The Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Forest Service provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Tiffany A. Scanlon prosecuted the case.

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